Bottas Storms To First GP3 Win At A Wet Nurburgring

Valtteri Bottas claimed his maiden GP3 Series victory after storming through from sixth on the grid into the lead of the race on the opening lap at a wet Nurburgring.

The Tech 1 Racing duo of Tamas Pal Kiss and Aaro Vainio started the race from the front row courtesy of the reverse grid, and maintained their positions at the start. Meanwhile, ART teammates James Calado and Bottas jumped up to third and fourth from fifth and sixth on the grid.

Vainio and Calado then came together, an incident that Vainio was later handed a drive-through penalty for. Bottas soon took the lead from Pal Kiss, who lost second to Alexander Sims on lap four.

The Briton, who had started 12th, then set about chasing down Bottas for the lead. He couldn't get close enough though as the Finn became the tenth different winner from as many races this season. Sims came under pressure from Nigel Melker at the very end but held on for second ahead of the Dutchman.

Pal Kiss came home in fourth place ahead of Tom Dillmann, while Calado took the final point in sixth.

Sims’ second place gives him a six point lead over MW Arden duo Lewis Williamson and Mitch Evans, with Calado and Melker tied for fourth just one point further behind. The next round takes place at the Hungaroring next weekend.